Jerry Granelli Dance Hall this came out late ’17 to be fair but the review I just read was Feb. ’18 good shit happy 4th music lovers https://www.criticsatlarge.ca/2018/02/dance-hall-jerry-granelli-review.html?m=1 |
And on August 31st, Capitol’s deluxe reissue of The Band’s 1968 Music From Big Pink debut album drops. It is a box set with new mixes and mastering by Bob Clearmountain from 24/96 digital masters, in all the formats (except tape ;-)---black vinyl, pink vinyl, CD, and digital streaming. The deluxe box includes two LP’s, a 7" 45, a CD/Blu-ray with surround sound mixes (why?), and a book. Five outtakes and alternate takes and an a cappella version of "I Shall Be Released" (featuring pianist Richard Manuel’s astounding lead vocals) will make their debut. This is one of the very few albums important enough to me that I will be getting every version offered, though I already have a 1st pressing US LP (mastered by Bob Ludwig), an original UK LP, the first Mobile Fidelity LP, the current Mobile Fidelity LP, and a few CD’s. I have no doubt so will Eric Clapton ;-). I hope Capitol also gives The Band’s follow-up (s/t, the "brown" album) the same treatment. |
Shout out for the new Jennifer Warnes -- I know she's an A-phile cliche but this is just her having fun with a great bunch of songs with only one miss on the disc. The sound is clean and serviceable and if your system can resolve it there are some bvery atmospheric mixes. Good fun. https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8223683/jennifer-warnes-pearl-jam-cover-premiere |
Here is an interesting one- Yes- Fly From Here- Return Trip. This album is a rerecording of the original Fly From Here released in 2004. The 2018 version features the Yes line up from 1980 including Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes. This version of Yes released the Drama album in 1982. I have been a Yes fan for a long time and have always appreciated their musicianship. Jon Anderson has the voice of an angel. I remember, when they released Drama, thinking that the band would never be the same without Anderson. I was actually pleasantly surprised that Drama was pretty good. It took the addition of 2 vocalists to replace Anderson, but the song writing was top notch and Drama became an often overlooked classic. When Fly From Here was released in 2004, I remember reading about it, but the new vocalist David Benoit didn't really hold my attention. Obviously, Steve Howe, Alan White, and Chris Squire felt the same way because in 2017 they approached Horn to redo the album with him singing the lead vocals. The result is a much tighter production along the lines of the Drama album. The only reason I write this rather long review is that this is the last recording by Chris Squire. When you listen to his bass line and supporting vocals on songs that he co-wrote with Horn and Downes, you appreciate what a fine musician and overall contributor to Yes Squire was. This is a hard disc to find, but well worth it if you are a Yes fan. Chris Squire was one of the greatest rock bass players of all time. |